When Knechtges, a 1990 Midview High School graduate, thinks back to his teenage years, it was obvious then musical theater was going to be his life.

"I knew that my future was going to be in the performing arts," Knechtges said. "I did a bunch of things that annoyed my parents -- stuff that a normal kid wouldn't do -- and they were great and supported me in doing them like theater and dance and show choir. Now it's funny because those are all the things that provide a very good living for me."

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So far Knechtges's Broadway credits include "Lysistrata Jones" (director and choreographer), "Xanadu," "Sondheim on Sondheim," "110 in the Shade" and "The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee."

While his success didn't happen overnight -- after all, he left for New York City roughly 20 years ago -- Knechtges said his résumé should act as inspiration for local theater kids thinking of the Big Apple.

"You dream these things, and you don't realize that they really could happen -- you're just trying to think they could," Knechtges said. "And when it did happen, you kind of have to be ready for it in a way. Luckily, I was. I had training, and I was persistent through a lot of tough times. It's funny now walking through (PlayhouseSquare) theaters, which seemed like they were unattainable as a kid. And here I am all of these years later." Back in that community-theater production of "Guys and Dolls," Knechtges didn't immediately understand the appeal of the material. Once the show opened for audiences -- and they were laughing hysterically -- he realized just how funny "Guys and Dolls" was.

"Guys and Dolls" made its Broadway debut in 1950. With the music and lyrics written by Frank Loesser and the book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, the oddball romantic comedy follows the story of Damon Runyon and a cast of unique characters.

Whether it's the original Broadway show featuring Robert Alda, the 1955 feature film with Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra or the upcoming joint PlayhouseSquare and Great Lakes Theater production, there's something about Runyon and company that keeps audiences interested.

"I think it's the American Shakespeare," Knechtges said. "It's indestructible in a way. It's what these characters go through, which is loving a person and trying to change them instead of realizing you can't change people and that you have to love them with their faults as well as strengths. That's something so true to human nature, and that's at the heart of 'Guys and Dolls.' It speaks to something that's very universal."

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What: PlayhouseSquare and Great Lakes Theater present "Guys and Dolls."